Chapter 60
“Pardon? Right now? Where to? Wait a moment, my lady—oh for heaven’s sake! At least put on some clothes first!”
Ye-il turned to look back but paused when she saw Seol-yeong’s face flushed bright red to her ears, flustered and unsure what to do. Instead of teasing her further, Ye-il opened the bundle of clothes that Chang-ah had secretly fetched earlier.
They were the same garments and accessories she had worn the day she’d threatened the fake Namgung Chumyeong. As she put them on, Ye-il recalled the voice of the Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance:
[Those moving suspiciously beneath the surface are not only Yeonghwang Yuse, but also the Cult of the Heavenly Demon.]
The master of Chwihyangwon was not someone easily touched, but if both Yeonghwang Yuse and the Cult of the Heavenly Demon were involved, things changed entirely.
If Seol Seorin was truly in danger, the ones pursuing her would almost certainly be those two.
“You’re guessing she left for Henan Province as soon as the summer heat began?”
Even without a clear subject, Seol-yeong understood the question immediately and replied,
“Yes. Well… she grew up with little, but she’s particular about meals. I’d wager she ate a light breakfast before setting out.”
Even if she packed thoroughly, the break only lasted ten days at most. She would’ve taken the quickest route available.
The weather hadn’t been too hot or stormy either. Assuming she traveled diligently, Ye-il calculated the time it would take to arrive—
At best, she was half a day to a full day behind.
“When Namgung Jeokmyeong returns, tell him I had to step out briefly to meet someone urgent.”
Seol-yeong hesitated, her head halfway turned.
“Ma’am? Is that… alright?”
“If you’re confident you can hide my absence from the Namgung brothers until tomorrow noon, go ahead and try. In the meantime, stay with Chang-ah—just in case.”
Ye-il kicked at Jin Cheongak, who was pretending to nap even though he’d obviously heard every word.
“Yaaawn…”
After a long, tearing yawn, Jin Cheongak grabbed his sword and followed behind her.
As Ye-il leapt from the window, Seol-yeong called softly after her,
“My lady! Where are you going?”
“Well… probably where your sister is.”
If Seol Seorin was still alive, that is.
“Not sure she’s even alive.”
That was the first thing Jin Cheongak said after following silently for a long time.
Ironically, rain began to fall. Just a drizzle for now, but it could turn into a downpour any moment.
Ye-il quickened her pace and replied without looking back.
“She’s someone the Master of Hangryongmun cherishes. They won’t kill her recklessly. Which, of course, only makes her more valuable.”
Seol Seorin’s bodyguards were skilled martial artists in their own right.
It was possible they hadn’t been subdued yet and were still on the run—or even planning a counterattack. But the longer they dragged this out, the worse their odds became.
For Seol Seorin, there were only two paths:
One, a shorter but rougher route that followed the river.
Two, a longer but gentler detour.
Ye-il chose the first.
‘This path may be rough, but not unmanageable.’
Especially during a time like now, with the martial arts tournament ongoing, merchants often took this road to save time.
If Seol Seorin had chosen this path, Yeonghwang Yuse’s first move would be obvious.
When they reached their destination, Ye-il turned to Jin Cheongak.
“We have to cross the river first.”
“Oh? You mean across that bridge?”
Jin Cheongak gave a helpless laugh, eyes fixed on the wreck of a bridge swaying in the wind.
Calling it “tattered” would’ve been generous.
Below, the river current was growing stronger by the minute. Falling in wouldn’t kill them, but the gorge was deep enough that climbing back up would be no small feat.
“Well, that’s one way to wake up. This bridge looks perfect for smashing one’s head like a potato. Don’t tell me you’re actually planning to kill me here?”
“There’s no other way across. Hurry up and carry me.”
He chuckled again.
“Carry you? Me? Do I really have to?”
They’d need to move as one if he was going to make it across without dropping her.
“No backtalk.”
She spread her arms toward him.
Jin Cheongak stared at her like he’d aged ten years, then finally crouched and hoisted Ye-il onto his back.
“You just keep finding new ways to torture me, don’t you…”
The bridge was little more than a few shaky planks tied with fraying ropes, swaying like icicles on a twig.
Apparently terrified of falling in, Jin Cheongak moved one tiny step at a time, each accompanied by a deep, regretful sigh.
“Before I die, can I ask you something?”
Midway across, his tired voice carried over the rushing water.
“If it’s that desperate, go ahead. We’ll die together anyway.”
“What’s your real name?”
“Ye-il.”
Jin Cheongak laughed. Then froze as the rope shuddered violently.
“That name belonged to the original owner of that jade ring you treasure so much. I’m not asking about the name you picked up off the ground—I mean your real one.”
Ye-il stared at her own clenched hands, veins standing out as she gripped the rope tight.
“Your true name—not Namgung Soyo, not Ye-il. Who are you, really?”
For a fleeting second, she seriously considered stabbing him and letting him drop.
“What could it be, hmm? Maybe even the Celestial General herself doesn’t know?”
Ye-il glared at his hand.
Sometimes, she really wanted to cut down this man who pretended to understand her just from glimpsing a sliver of her mind.
She hated when others claimed to know her. It repulsed her. Most people caught on quickly when she made that clear and kept their distance.
But Jin Cheongak only pretended to get it—then went right back to poking and prodding after a day or two. It was maddening.
Still, such feelings only had meaning when hidden. As always, she suppressed the irritation.
“What meaning does a name even have?”
“It does have meaning.”
“Not to me. I wasn’t born into some noble clan or wealthy family. I don’t have any fond memories of family, or anything like that.”
“Then why do you call yourself Ye-il, Ye-il?”
And what business was that of his?
“If a name means nothing, why that one in particular? Why the name of the jade ring’s original owner—wait. Stop.”
Jin Cheongak’s words suddenly halted.
His gaze, tense and rigid, fixed squarely on Ye-il’s hand—more precisely, on the nails digging into the back of his hand like hooked claws.
“Well, at least it’s quieter now.”
“Shhh—let’s stay calm, Ye-il. Ye-il?”
“Shut up and move your limbs. Planning to crawl across with your tongue? Can you make it before nightfall at this pace?”
“Alright, alright! I get it. Just… stop clawing me. I hate getting wet, okay? The rain’s already bad enough.”
When she pressed harder, he moved faster. Ye-il clicked her tongue.
“See? Wouldn’t it be easier if you just did this from the start? Why do you insist on provoking me?”
“Well, usually you’re unreadable. But moments like this—these are the few times you’re not.”
“…”
“Bad timing though. With you hanging off my back, I can’t exactly—okay, okay! Fine! Damn it. You’re the only person who can make my heart race this stupidly fast…”
Once across the river, Ye-il picked up speed again. It wasn’t long before they reached their first destination—
The second bridge, now collapsed into a ruin.
Jin Cheongak gave a low whistle.
“Aha. So that’s why we crossed early. Makes sense—no one could’ve used this one.”
He brushed his wet hair back and added,
“Impressive foresight. So, what’s the plan for getting back? I assume you’ve got that all figured out too?”
“No.”
